Breeds of Livestock - Corriedale Sheep — Breeds of Livestock, Department of Animal Science Breeds of Livestock, Department of Animal Science Breeds of Livestock - Corriedale Sheep Breeds of Livestock - Corriedale Sheep Corriedale The Corriedale was developed in New Zealand and Australia during the late 1800s' from crossing Lincoln or Leicester rams with Merino females. The development of the breed occurred in New Zealand during the time from 1880 to 1910. Similar crosses were also being done in Australia during this time. The breed is now distributed worldwide, making up the greatest population of all sheep in South America and thrives throughout Asia, North America and South Africa. Its popularity now suggests it is the second most significant breed in the world after Merinos. The Corriedale is a dual-purpose sheep. It is large-framed, polled with good carcass quality. Although its role has traditionally been to produce premium lambs when mated to sires of meat breeds, the Corriedale is now achieving comparative performance rates with purebred lambs. This bonus together with a high skin value secures its future as a popular breed.

The Corriedale produces bulky, high-yielding wool ranging from 31.5 to 24.5 micron fiber diameter. The fleece from mature ewes will weigh from 10 to 17 pounds (4.5-7.7 kg) with a staple length of 3.5 to 6 inches (9-15 cm). The yield percent of the fleece ranges from 50 to 60 percent. Mature rams will weigh from 175 to 275 pounds (79-125 kg), ewe weights range from 130 to 180 pounds (59-81 kg). The breed was first imported into the United States in 1914. They are well adapted to farm flock situations where abundant feed is available but may also be used in range situations. The breed is found in most sheep areas of Australia, but mainly in the temperate, higher rainfall zones supporting improved pastures. Commercial and stud Corriedales represent approximately four percent of the total Australian flock.

Australian Corriedale Association Inc Breed Information Breed Origin The Corriedale was simultaneously evolved in both Australia and New Zealand about 1874 by selectively breeding from cross bred progeny of pure Merino and Lincoln sheep. The breed was developed to meet a demand for a dual purpose animal with good meat characteristics and commercial wool production. Today with over 125 years of line breeding behind it, the Corriedale is sufficiently fixed that hybrid vigour results when it is crossed with any other recognised pure breed. Breed Identification and Description The modern Australian Corriedale is a large framed, plain bodied, polled sheep, capable of producing heavy carcases of lamb, hogget or mutton. Ideal for export and domestic markets, Corriedales produce heavy cutting bright fleeces, with good style, length and handle. Mean fibre diameter ranges from 25 to 30 microns in adult sheep to the low 20's in lambs and hoggets. Yields which vary according to environment are in the 75% range. Flocks are also in demand for hand spinning. Distribution Because it is run in a wide range of conditions the breed's popularity ranks second only to the Merino in the world at the present time.

In South America alone, Corriedales account for some 70% of the sheep population, and graze from the heat of the equator to Tierra del Fuego's cold, from a wet 1500mm rainfall to a low 275mm, and from sea level to 3500 metres in the rare air of the Altiplano. Uses of the breed in Australia and Fecundity Corriedales are farmed in Australia because they give so many options in marketing. Being a dual purpose breed they can meet demands of both meat and wool markets, namely prime lamb production, wether markets (live export or slaughter), wool production, crossbred mothers and stud ram sales.ï¿½ Ewes are sound prime lamb mothers and with present trends their use for a self replacing flock has increased. Lamb rearing percentage of up to 140% can be achieved where this is required. Corriedale lambs are leaner than those sired by terminal breeds because their wool producing ability limits obesity. Production Characteristics Lambing exceeds 100%. Wool cut is 7kg and more per year with a yield of 75%. The animals have a long life span.

Other Attributes Corriedales are docile, easy care animals, excellent mothers with high fertility. They adapt to a wide range of climatic conditions, sometimes at very high altitudes, and are known to be "good doers" in poor seasons and have a strong constitution. They are suitable to the vagaries of the changing sheep markets, maintaining above average returns at all times. Corriedales meet the market Corriedale cross lambs are proving to be an ideal part of an innovative lamb marketing program, known as Island Prime, that is setting the pace in production and quality techniques in Australia. Island Prime is a unique Tasmanian-branded product and demands lambs that meet tight specifications, based on eye muscle shape, carcase weight and fat score. Corriedale cross lambs have not only met these specifications, they have attracted price premiums for them. Not only have Corriedale cross lambs met Island Primeï¿½s strict selection criteria, they are well suited to the "cutability" of the Island Prime product, as it is sold to gourmet butchers and supermarkets that demand a heavy muscle to satisfy the demand for new age cuts.

This demonstrates how Corriedales can meet todayï¿½s market demands and itï¿½s not surprising they are a part of this highly successful lamb marketing program that targets customers seeking high quality, lean and tender lamb. Fertility & Mothering Ability Corriedale ewes are extremely sound mothers, capable of lamb survival rates of up to 140%. Time and time again, in purebred and crossbred flocks, they have proved their ability to raise a productive, healthy lamb. This inherent fertility and strong maternal instinct has breeders all over the country very impressed, especially when it comes to lamb sale time. Corriedales are hardy animals and well suited to a variety of higher rainfall environments. They are ideal for lamb finishing on crop stubbles and their self-replacing ability and strong mothering characteristics are yielding some excellent lambing and weaning rates. One breeder located near Bordertown in South Australia had lambing rates of 128% and 133% in his first two lambings after making the change from a wool breed of sheep to a Corriedale flock.

This, combined with prime lamb sales of an average of $58 for stock sold over-the-hooks to a supermarket, reinforced the breederï¿½s decision to choose Corriedales over other breeds. It just goes to show that no matter where you are, there is a Corriedale that will perform for you. High Quality Carcase Corriedales are well known for their ability to produce high quality meat, especially for the prime lamb trade in both the domestic and export markets. This has been repeatedly demonstrated with many strong sales to over-the-hooks buyers, supermarkets and processors and positive results in various carcase competitions, including one of the Victoriaï¿½s most prestigious prime lamb events, held at the Green Triangle Beef Expo at Hamilton. At a recent Expo, Corriedale lambs took out six of the eight awards presented were carcases were judged on a cents a kilogram basis, according to tight specifications set by a local abattoir. Not only did Corriedale lambs perform well in the class standings, more importantly, a high number met the grid specifications and achieved a price premiums of up to 22c/kg dressed weight on market values.

Of the Corriedale entries in the competition, 63 per cent hit the grid specifications, well above the 40 per cent reached by other lamb breeds. These results clearly demonstrate how suitable Corriedale lambs are to over-the-hooks trading requirements and that the Corriedale is an ideal prime lamb sire or dam, able to meet the commercial needs of the red meat industry. Balanced genetic improvement for better returns The Facts: Australian Corriedales have a pedigree and performance database comprising nearly 50,000 animals. Australian Corriedale breeders use the most advanced sheep genetic improvement system in the world ï¿½ LAMBPLAN. Australian Corriedale breeders use LAMBPLAN to help achieve balanced genetic improvement across the entire range of traits affecting your sheep business: Growth Rate, Carcase Merit, Maternal Ability, Wool Cut and Wool Quality. The International Scene Now established in over 20 countries the export potential for good flock and stud stock is excellent in a market which can expand. To maintain the international interest, this unique breed of sheep holds a World Corriedale Conference every five years in rotated host countries.

BREED TYPE STANDARDS CORRIEDALE BREEDERï¿½S AIM The Corriedale Breederï¿½s aim is to produce a dual purpose sheep combining maximum clean fleece weight, body weight and fertility, having regard to the breed type standard. General Appearance The Corriedale should at once give the impression of being a well-woolled and evenly balanced sheep, with a remarkably hardy constitution, the ram being of a distinctive character and bold outlook. Being a dual-purpose sheep, consideration should be given to both wool and carcase. Wool The Corriedale carries a heavy, even, bright fleece of good quality with a long dense staple, pronounced crimp, soft handle and an even tip. For visual appraisal purposes, the object quality should be within the range of 50-58 spinning count and emphasis must be placed on quality. The characteristic of a pure Corriedale sheep is a remarkable evenness in the length, density and quality of the fleece throughout. In males, the purse should be covered with wool. Note: As feeding, age, sex and health have a marked influence on the average fibre diameter of a fleece, a strict limit cannot be included in the Type Standard.

However, as a guide, the mean fibre diameter of the fleece under average grazing conditions should be in the range of 25-32 microns. (Mature rams slightly broader, ewes slightly finer). Body Structure Head: Hornless, broad, strong and well-woolled, but free from wool blindness. Black or blue spots on the ears are no defect, but black or brown spots on hair or wool are defects. The jaw and bit should be broad, teeth well formed and meet the upper pad at the front. Nostrils preferably dark. Ears thick and soft. Neck: Broad and strong, forming a good scrag and long enough to provide good balance Brisket: Carried well forward and wide. Back: Long, level and broad. Ribs: Well sprung and deep. Hindquarters: Deep, broad and well muscled. Legs: Moderate length with heavy bone and squarely set under the sheep. Coloured fibres are a serious defect. Hoofs well formed and preferably dark. What Are Some Physical Characteristics of Corriedale Sheep? | Animals - mom.me Wildlife and Exotic Animals What Are Some Physical Characteristics of Corriedale Sheep?

Originally developed in Australia and New Zealand in the late 19th century, the Corriedale sheep is a dual-purpose breed, suitable for fleece and meat production. A cross between the Merino and Lincoln breeds, the modern Corriedale imparts hybrid vigor when bred to other types of ovines. Appearance Born naturally polled, or without horns, this sheep sports horizontal ears, sometimes with blue or black spotting. The Corriedale's face lacks wool. The rest of the body makes up for that, as the wool is particularly dense. At maturity, large-framed Corriedale ewes weigh between 130 to 180 pounds, with rams ranging from 175 to 275 pounds. The breed boasts deep ribs, broad backs, well-muscled hindquarters, thick leg bones and dark hooves. A heavy carcass weight adds to their value as a meat breed. Fleece Corriedale sheep sport a dense, semi-lustrous medium-fine fleece. It's especially in demand for felt production and popular with hand spinners. Fleece colors include silver, fawn, brown and black.

The typical mature ewe provides between 10 and 17 pounds of fleece at each shearing, with an yield percentage of usable fleece ranging between 50 and 60 percent. Corriedale fleece quality includes considerable length evenness. Breeding Corriedale ewes mature earlier than other types of sheep, so can be bred earlier. Not only are Corriedales good mothers, but they often give birth to multiple lambs. According to the Australian Corriedale Association, lambing exceeds 100 percent, with lamb survival rates of up to 140 percent in a flock. That means that because many ewes produce two or more lambs with each pregnancy, the average lamb survival rate exceeds one lamb per ewe for the entire flock. Lambs gain weight quickly and are quite active from birth. Corriedale rams also are in demand for crossing with ewes of other breeds. Hardiness Corriedales are an exceptionally hardy, long-lived breed, renowned for their strong constitutions. They do well in hot and cold climates and are found throughout the world. Feed efficiency is one reason for their popularity -- they gain weight on far less food than other breeds.

They're known as a docile, easily maintained breed. The Australian Corriedale Association describes these sheep as "good doers in poor seasons." AMERICAN CORRIEDALE SHEEP REGISTRATION *Email address is required to submit form. Email Address===> *YES, I acknowledge that the above information is correct to the best of my knowledge and belief and I desire to register these Corriedale Sheep and make the proper payment for each request. These sheep wear ear tags as indicated and are free of horns, black wool, and wool blindness, and conform closely to the correct Corriedale type. Any lamb that has a solid pink or white nose and all white hooves is not eligible to register. Type Yes ===> Click the submit button only once. You will be directed to the Paypal payment page for the work order and payment process. For on line registration work, we now only accept Paypal payments only! THIS IS A SECURE WEBPAGE. PRINT THIS PAGE OUT FOR YOUR RECORDS BEFORE SUBMITTING. All information that is typed in these boxes will be sent in completion to the ACA office, even though it appears like it does not include some information that you type in.

When using this "on line" registration form, the only form of payment is through Paypal. Sheep 101: Sheep Breeds C Image courtesy of Edouard Gendrin Cotswold ewe Image courtesy of Smoke Ham Farm Sheep Breeds C California Red The California Red was developed in 1970. It is a cross between Barbados and Tunis sheep. Considered medium-sized sheep, mature rams weigh 225 to 250 pounds and ewes range from 130 to 150 pounds. Both sexes are naturally hornless. Lambs are born a solid rust or cinnamon red color, a color that is retained as they mature. At maturity, the fleeces turn a beige or oatmeal color. The legs and faces are free of wool with long pendulous ears which emphasize the animal's appearance. The wool is silky in texture and has found a specialty market with hand spinners and weavers. Year-round breeding is another charactertistic of the breed. Breed categories: medium wool, meat Distribution: United States Go to California Red Sheep Registry, Inc. => Cambridge The Cambridge is a dark faced, medium sized sheep with an average quality white fleece.

It was founded in 1964 at Cambridge University. The female foundation stock consisted of very prolific ewes selected within native breeds. Most ewes were from the Clun Forest breed, but the Lleyn, Llanwenog and Kerry Hill breeds also contributed signficantly, and the Radnor, Ryeland, Border Leicester, and Suffolk to a lesser extent. These ewes were crossed with Finn rams and the resultant F1 males were backcrossed with the foundation stock to reduce the Finn contribution to 20 percent. The particular value of the Cambridge is for crossing with other breeds and crossbreeds to produce a superior halfbred ewe. The breed has a very high prolificacy, most of which can be attributed to the presence of a single gene which has a major effect on ovulation. Breed categories: medium wool, meat, prolific Distribution:United Kingdom, Europe Cameroon The Cameroon sheep is a hair sheep from West Africa. Instead of wool, they carry a hair coat that in the autumn forms an additional undercoat, which is shed after winter. Cameroon sheep do not require shearing. Cameroon sheep are very prolific and reach puberty very early. They are aseasonal and can produce two lamb crops per year.

They are a resistant, problem-free sheep. Their most common color is brown with a black belly, head, and legs. Breed categories: hair, landrace Go to Kamerunshafe=> Castlemilk Morrit During the early years of the 20th century, the late Sir Jock Buchanan-Jardine began a breeding program on his Castlemilk Estate in Dumfriesshire. Using Manx Loghtan, moorit Shetland, and wild Mouflon, he developed a breed to beautify his parkland and provide fine, kemp-free moorit colored wool. On the death of Sir John Buchanan-Jardine the flock was dispersed in 1970, and six ewes and a ram were bought by Joe Henson at the Cotswold Farm Park. All of todays Castlemilk Moorits are descended from these few sheep. The Castlemilk Moorit is one of the larger primitive-type breeds, with mature ewes weighing in the region of 40 kgs. (85 lbs.) and rams 55 kgs.

(120 lbs.) The ewes exhibit two uniform and wide spreading horns which are much heavier and evenly spiralled in the rams. Light brown or moorit in color, they have definite mouflon pattern markings to include white underparts around the eyes, lower jaw, belly, knees and inside lower leg and tail together with a rump patch. Breed categories: primitive, rare Go to Castlemilk Morrit Sheep Society=> Charmoise Hill The Charmoise sheep originated in the hills of France and has been used in the production of continental terminal breeds such as the Charollais and the Rouge. The Charmoise is a genuine hill breed, the first to be imported to Britain from the Continent. The breed was formed in France in the late 18th century by the introduction of Kent rams from England, which were crossed on the indiginous hill and mountain breeds to give them a better shape. The exceptional confirmation of the breed is the principal reason for the success of the Charmoise ram in commercial crossbreeding schemes for the production of quality primestock lamb. It is found in the rougher hill areas of France today where it is bred pure to produce a high quality small lamb.

In France it is the only top confirmation breed to be classified as "race rustique" (hardy breed). Breed categories: medium wool, meat, hill Distribution: United Kingdom, Europe Go to Charmoise Hill Sheep Society=> Charollais Charollais sheep are from the same region of France as Charolais cattle. They originated in the early 1800's from a cross of the British Dishley Leicester with local landrace breeds. The Charollais breed is a medium sized, heavy sheep, with a long loin and well muscled hindquarters. Their clean head is pinkish grey. Their wool is fine to medium and dense. They are used primarily as a terminal sire to increase the muscling and growth rate of lambs. They are the second most popular terminal sire breed in the United Kingdom. Carcasses from Charollais lambs are lean and heavily muscled, especially in the loin and hindquarters. Dressing percentage is above average. Breed categories: medium wool, meat Distribution: Europe, United Kingdom, North America Go to Charollais Sheep Society UK=> Chios Like many breeds, the exact origin of the Chios is unknown.

Some sources suggest it is the result of crossbreeding between local sheep of the island of Chios (Greece) and breeds from Anatolia (Turkey). The Chios is typically white with black, occasionally brown, spots around the eyes, and on the ears, nose, belly and legs. The entire head is often black. Female conformation is typically dairy. The breed is classified as semi-fat-tailed. Milk production for the breed varies from 265 to 660 pounds (120-300 kg) of milk per lacation depending on management and husbandry conditions. The highest production recorded is 1,317 pounds (597.4 kg) during a 272 day lactation. Breed cateogories: dairy, semi-fat-tailed Distribution: Greece, Mediterranean (Spanish) Churra The Churra sheep is an native breed raised in Castile and León in northwestern Spain. It is a milk production breed of great hardiness, well suited to the continental climate of Castile and León, with long, severe winters, very short springs, and hot dry summers. Zamorano cheese is a classic Spanish sheeps milk cheese.

It is made with full cream milk, coming mainly from the Churra sheep. Navajo Churro sheep descend from the Spanish Churra. Breed categories: dairy, carpet wool Distribution: Spain, Europe Clun Forest The Clun Forest originated in the mountainous district of South West Shropshire in England, adjoining the Welsh Border, and are the most numerous sheep of the Marshes of Wales. They take their name from the ancient market town of Clun. Some authors attribute the breed to a combination of Hill Radnor and Shropshire, with Kerry Hill breeding also introduced in about 1865. Cluns are considered a hardy, moderately prolific, easy care breed of medium size. They are a relatively new breed in the United States, first imported in 1959. Clun Forests are darkfaced with no wool on the head and legs. They produce a medium wool fleece and are known for their longevity. Breed categories: medium wool, meat Distribution: United Kingdom, Europe, North America Coburg (Coburger Fuchsschaf, Colberg Fox Sheep) In the 19th century this landrace sheep populated the European hilly ranges abundantly.

These red fox-colored sheep could be found under names that indicated their color or living area, such as Golden Fox, Eisfelder Fox Sheep, Eifeler Sheep, Ardenais Solognotes, or Rousse Tetes. In the beginning of the 20th century, 60% of the sheep in the German Coburg area were of this landrace with the red fox-colored heads, but by World War II they were nearly extinct. It took Otto Stritzel, a breeder and weaver from Bavaria to publicize the favorable characteristics of the Fuchsschaf, which laid the foundation for its continued existence. The Coburger Fuchsschaf is frugal, hardy, and prolific. Longevity and non-fussiness of food make it a perfect choice for keeping on rough hilly ranges. It is possible to breed them three times in two years. The specialty of the Coburger Fuchsschaf is its long wool. Lambs are born with a dark red-brown fleece that lightens at age 6-12 months Breed categories: rare, long wool Distribution: Europe Columbia The Columbia is truly an All-American breed, the first to originate in the United States.

Columbias were developed in 1912 from Lincoln and Rambouillet crosses. The object of the cross was to create a breed that produced more pounds of wool and lamb and could replace crossbreeding on the range. Though originally bred for range conditions, the Columbia has found widespread acceptance throughout the United States and is used increasingly to sire crossbred market lambs. Columbias are one of the larger-sized breeds. Rams weigh between 225 and 300 lbs (100-135 kg) and females weigh between 150 and 225 lbs. (68-102 kg). Columbia sheep produce a heavy, medium-wool fleece with good staple length and hardy, fast-growing lambs. Breed categories: medium wool, dual purpose Distribution: North America Comisana (Lentinese, Red Head, Testa rossa, Faccia rossa) The Comisana is one of the most important breeds of Mediterranean sheep. The breed is valued for its high milk yield, processed on site to produce a variety of home-made high quality cheeses, following a tradition lasting thousands of years.

The average production of Comisana ewes is 200 liters per lactation. In well managed flocks, many individuals are producing in excess of 2 liters of milk per day, indicative of the breed's high potential. The Comisana sheep originated in the Southeast region of Sicily from where it spread throughout Italy, mainly to Toscana, Lazio, Abruzzo, Basilicata, Puglia and Calabria regions. The breed is well suited for the entire spectrum of production systems, from extensive to intensive. The total population is about 700,000 sheep, of which 54% are found in Sicily. Breed categories: dairy, coarse wool Distribution: Italy, Mediterranean Go to Progetto di Miglioramento Genetico Razza Comisana=> Coopworth The Coopworth is a medium sized, dual-purpose, white faced sheep with an alert but quiet disposition. It is one of the most dominant breeds in New Zealand. It originated in New Zealand in the 1960's from Border Leicester and Romney crosses, and was first imported into the United States during the late 1970's.

It is a highly productive sheep, intensively selected for easy care lambing, prolificacy, and good mothering ability. Coopworth wool is relatively coarse and long and is popular with hand spinners. Breed categories: long wool, dual-purpose Distribution: New Zealand, Australia, North America, Europe Go to Coopworth Sheep Society of Australia=> Cormo Cormo is a system of breeding in which selection is based on scientific measurement of commercially desirable characteristics. Selection criteria include clean fleece weight, fiber diameter, growth or body weight, and fertility. Originating in Tasmania, Australia, the Cormo derives its name from its two parent breeds: Corriedale and Superfine Saxon Merino. Cormo sheep were first introduced into the United States in 1976. They are not being promoted as a show sheep, but rather as one of economic value. Cormos sheep produce a long stapled, high yielding fine-wool fleece with a high degree of fiber uniformity. They cross well with American breeds. Bred category: fine wool Go to Australian Corriedale Association=> Cotentin The Cotentin originates from the western French region of Manche (Lower-Normandy), on Cotentin Peninsula.

It is of Flemish origin, with influences from the Dishley, Southdown, and Lecister. The breed was commonly found on horse farms. Today, the Cotentin is found in three main regions of Lower-Normandy: Calvados, Orne, and Manche. It is used as a meat breed. Its phenotype was fixed in 1900. A flock book was created in 1925. The Cotentin is a large, sheep charactrized by pink skin, a depressed head and, large eyes. Both sexes are polled. The status of the breed is threatened. It is estimated that there are only about 2000. Breed categories: meat, rare Distribution: France Cotswold The Cotswold is an ancient breed of sheep descended from sheep that grazed the Cotswold Hills at the time of Caesar's conquest of Britain. In the Middle Ages, Cotswold wool was a major export of England, contributing greatly to the wealth of the country as a whole and particularly to the Cotswold region, where the wool churches and large houses remain as evidence of its importance at that time.

Cotswolds are a large breed, noted for their long, coarse fleece of naturally wavy curls and the tuft of wool on their foreheads. The earliest record of Cotswolds in the United States is 1832. The Cotswold is classified as a "rare" breed by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. Breed category: long wool, rare Distribution: United Kingdom, Europe, North America Confidence in Corriedale future | The Land Aa When Richard and Jane Carter decided to relocate their Corriedale stud from the Southern Tablelands to the warmer Riverina, the fact their prospective property purchase came with an established flock of commercial Corriedale ewes was a clincher. The Carter’s moved to their new property “Billagaboo West”, on the Yanco Creek west of Narrandera 12 months ago and are busy reestablishing pastures and gradually building the size of the breeding flock. Mr Carter is proud of his families association with the Corriedale, having been bred by his father on the Crookwell district property since 1937.

“The Corriedale were once the second most populous breed in the world renowned for their true dual-purpose characteristics, but unfortunately the breed lost its direction with the call for the wool industry to grow finer wool,” he said. Confidence in Corriedale future Mixed-age Corriedale ewes with lambs on the Yanco Creek, near Narrandera Mixed-age Corriedale ewes with lambs on the Yanco Creek, near Narrandera Mixed-age Corriedale ewes and lambs on the Yanco Creek, near Narrandera. Facebook of “The Corriedale was once recognised for its long, lustrous and soft deep crimping fleeces on a body which was very suitable for the local of export trade. “We still have those characteristics in our sheep and we are determined to maintain them.” Mr Carter said the sheep must produce soft and well nourished wool, whatever the mean micron, to keep the dirt out, and to enhance the processing qualities of the wool. “There are two major bloodlines in the breed, each are represented in my sheep and we will be building on their lineage,” he said.

“I am very strong on having good female lines, and it is interesting to class the sheep yourself because you pick out the ewes which correspond to the type you like, and then you look at their figures.” Mr Carter said it is unfortunate there aren’t the big lines of Corriedale ewes available like there once was, so if anyone wants to breed a Corriedale flock, he suggests starting with some top quality First Cross ewes and joining them to top Corriedale sires. “The sheep industry is searching for a sheep which can produce both a lot of fibre and a lot of meat, just like it did 100 years ago,” he said. “In the present climate where meat is in huge demand, and where the price differential in various wool types is minimal, the Corriedale has a unique place as it did 100 hundred years ago.” The Corriedale ewes on “Billagaboo West”, have an average lambing of 130 percent while ewes cutting up to seven kgs of 28m wool. “Our wether lambs are sold at eight months and reach export weights of 28kgs dressed in that time,” he said.

“The wool is bright and lustrous, and soft handling and the type is finding ready acceptance in the trade.” Mr Carter said it is very exciting time to be involved with the Corriedale breed. “Their is huge demand for meat from many traditional markets as well as emerging countries in Asia, and they are looking for heavier types of lambs from Australia,” he said. “The timing has occurred just as the type has been fixed after 100 years, so breeders can be assured of animals throwing true-to-type,” he said. “This is a key factor when considering a sheep breeding program … the self-replacing Corriedale flock which has high fertility and constitution and breeds consistently is an attractive option for producers to consider. “There is a new generation of producers investing in agriculture … whether they are corporate investors employing managers with an open mind, sons returning to the family property or small farmers interested in breeding a unique sheep, the Corriedale fills their needs.” Jane Carter said their personality and performance make them more than a curiosity. “There is something about the Corriedale, they are fantastic mothers, and happy to be around people,” Mrs Carter said. Temperament and its heritability in Corriedale and Merino lambs.

- PubMed - NCBI Animal. 2015 Mar;9(3):373-9. doi: 10.1017/S1751731114002833. Epub 2014 Nov 28. Temperament and its heritability in Corriedale and Merino lambs. 11Departamento de Producción Animal y Pasturas, Facultad de Agronomía,Universidad de la República,Av. E. Garzón 780,12900,Montevideo,Uruguay. 22Secretariado Uruguayo de la Lana,Rambla Baltasar Brum 3764,11800,Montevideo,Uruguay. 33UWA Institute of Agriculture,The University of Western Australia,35 Stirling Highway,Crawley,WA 6009,Australia. Abstract Temperament can be defined as the fearfulness and reactivity of an animal in response to humans and strange, novel or threatening environments.

The productive performance of an animal is affected by its temperament, and selection of calm animals might improve their adaptation to the farming environment and handling, as well as improve productivity. The temperament was measured in lambs of two breeds of sheep in Uruguay. The effects of dam's age, type of birth, age of the lamb and contemporary group (CG; lambs belonging to the same year, flock, sex and rearing group) on the temperament of the lambs and the heritability of temperament were estimated with a Bayesian analysis using Gibbs sampling. Overall, 4962 Corriedale lambs and 2952 Merino lambs from 13 farms were tested. Temperament was measured using the isolation box test, isolating a lamb inside the box for 30 s, and recording the vibrations produced by its movements. The average temperament score (±s.e.m.) of the Corriedale lambs was 24.7 (±0.23) and that of the Merino was 36.8 (±0.45). Temperament was not associated with dam's age, type of birth or lamb's age.

There were no relevant differences in the agitation score between lambs born in 2010 and 2011. The mean of the distribution of possible values of heritability (±s.d.) was 0.18 (±0.05) for the Corriedale and 0.31 (±0.06) for the Merino. The likelihood of heritability values to be greater than 0.15 exceeded 70% in the Corriedale and 90% in the Merino. The temperament of Merino and Corriedale sheep in Uruguay is moderately heritable. It is not related to dam's age, type of birth or age of the lambs; however, it is affected by some aspect of the CG. KEYWORDS: Corriedale & Cormo Breeding Stock: Cormos and Corriedales Ewes, Rams, Lambs The Liberton flock coming in from the river paddock with Alpacas in the lead. Please Contact Us for references and availability of breeding animals. Our AI Program Our wool quality took a giant leap forward with the introduction of semen from 2 sires of the Liberton Corriedale flock in Victoria, Australia.

Jim and Brenda Venters ( ) were kind enough to share the wonderful Liberton Corriedales genetics, with their beautiful, soft and lustrous fleeces, with our Corriedale flock. We recently introduced semen from 2 additional Liberton rams, including P10, a national winner in Australia. See his picture and pedigree at the Venters' website. Thanks again to Martin Dally ( ) for his AI assistance. We invite you to stop by the farm to see the results. 2013 Update We are so grateful to our friends in Australia for helping us improve our wool quality and restore classic Corriedale breed type to our flock. Jim and Brenda Venters have provided a solid genetic base with predictable fleece quality and sound bodied sheep. Now we have added a tremendous stud ram from Andrew and Judith Nicolson's flock in Campbelltown, Tasmania. Their stud, Streanshalh, is flock number 3 in Australia, established in 1908. We added semen from Streanshalh 190, "Damien," with the aim of bringing our average micron count down.

We are just getting started with him, and we are finding that the Streanshalh/ Liberton combination is beautiful so far. Come and see for yourself what the best Australian Corriedale blood can do! Streanshalh 190. Average micron count 25.8 Streanshalh 190's fleece is now featured at the Tasmanian wool museum as a prime example of Corriedale wool. by J.F. Walker. From Sheep Breeder magazine, March 1939 What is Size? J.F. Walker, Gambier, Ohio Sheep Breeder, March 1939 The other day I chanced to be at an auction sale of sheep. Many buyers were present and interest was centered on a lot of ewes carrying a considerable growth of staple and showing an advanced condition of pregnancy. Most of them were a trifle long in the leg as well. Penned beside them, was another lot, the same age and breeding but with some less fleece and due to lamb about a month later than the first lot. They were also shorter in the leg.

It was very interesting to listen to the comments of the prospective buyers as all placed the first lot as much the largest and in the sale they backed their opinion by paying considerably more for them than the second lot. Yet in the same condition, the short-legged second lot would have outweighed the others and been the best buy at the same price. At the recent International we showed a pair of yearling Corriedale yearling rams. One was a short legged, low thick one – the kind we like; the other was a rangy, upstanding ram carrying a longer fleece. Everybody guessed the last ram anywhere from twenty-five to fifty pounds heavier than the first one. As a matter of fact, the blocky ram weighed 187 pounds and the other 185 pounds. One more illustration. During the summer we ran our aged Southdown ram and the aged Corriedale we were fitting to show together. Here again the larger looking Corriedale was give a weight advantage of from thirty to seventy-five pounds over the Southdown, while in reality at the time the Southdown weighed ten pounds than the Corriedale ram.

It is apparent that size, to the average person, is measured by height, length and appearance, rather than in an attempt to visualize body size and conformation where weight is determined. Long necks, long legs and long fleeces are given more consideration than well sprung ribs, wide loins and deep bodies, which after all is what the packer pays for. It is an unfortunate situation for any breed to find itself in a position where it is judged from the viewpoint of the average person as to size. Long legs and long necks go hand in hand and do indicated something, but the things they indicate are exactly the things the feeder and the packer don't want- namely, a hard doer and poor finisher with excessive percentage of waste in dressing. There are exceptions, but the number of such are very limited. A long leg is generally associated with a leg of mutton not well filled in the twist. Nearly always a shallow, light body is also found accompanying the long leg. A long neck, if heavy, produces an excessive amount of "neck steak" which hardly ranks in quality with the meat found at the other end of the spinal column.

If this long neck is light, one will find a poor feeding, weak constitutioned animal every time. Why is the false standard of size being perpetuated? There are just two reasons: The first is to deceive the buyer or more often one's self. I do not feel that many are guilty of trying to defraud a purchaser, but a lot of breeders find it easier to sell such individuals than those of more compact conformation and, consequently, follow the lines of least resistance. Where scales are not available, it is very easy to produce 200 pound yearlings given enough wool, leg and neck, and when lambs of this kind go to market it is again easy to blame "short weights" as the reason for their failure to weigh up to expectations. The second reason for the reservation of this type of sheep is the one generally given-that on the western ranges a long leg is necessary to permit sheep to travel the distance required to get over rough grazing lands. This theory is given considerable credence. At one of the leading shows, the judge stated that he wanted a sheep that could go out in the spring and come back in the fall and made his placings accordingly. Many western men make the same statement.

Most of these men have never had any experiences with anything else than sheep of this type and their convictions are the result if a line of reasoning rather than actual demonstration. A sheep is a sheep and a leg is a leg the world over and if long legs are necessary in one state or one country they certainly should be essential in every country where sheep are compelled to travel long distances, or in rough countries. What do we find? In New Zealand the "rough" country is as bad as anyone encounters in the West. Out of this region the writer secured ten head of Tasmanian type Merinos that had been trailed as far as any western band would travel. They were mostly short in the leg and the shorter legged ones were in the best condition. Nobody there seemed to feel that long legs were essential to successful herding. In Australia we saw bands of sheep on the semi-arid sections traveling up to twenty miles a day for feed and water. These sheep were deep bodied and only had a moderate length of leg. Those men talked about a set of leg and muscle to propel it rather than length. In South Africa we trailed for two days with a band of ewes being moved over two hundred miles from winter to summer range.

The short-legged, deep bodied kind were out in the lead and doing the best on the trail. Last fall considerable territory was covered in the West looking for feeder lambs. The best and heaviest lambs we secured came from a short legged band of ewes running in as rough a country as any we encountered. In a recent letter from Mr. Bond of Denver, Colorado, who has one of the leading flocks of Corriedales in the west, I quote. "The length of leg on some Corriedales is proper for criticism and is a later development in the West. The early importations were neither long-legged nor heavy boned. These only increase the amount going to the tallow tank and lesson the dressing percentage. The Corriedale close to the ground will still lead the other breeds to and from range, even in the mountains. Will be glad to prove it if you will come to our ranch the 28th of any July when we make up the mixed band with some of our neighbors and drive the sheep the seventy miles to summer range". If size is not dependant on long legs, neck or fleece, what is the yard stick by which it should be determined? The first and most accurate is the scales.

A pair of scales should be in every judging ring for the benefit of the judge who looks largely to size. It would cause a tremendous "shrink in shipping" in a lot of cases. Lacking scales, the important thing to remember is that width, length and depth of body determine weight. Firmness of flesh is another important factor. This should not be confused with excessive fat put on for show ring competition, but as applied to an animal capable of breeding. In a letter this fall a breeder states that he purchased a ram weighing 335 pounds and was obligated to take off seventy-five pounds before the ram was able to function as a breeder. This ram was a 260 pound ram and no more. Loaded with seventy-five pounds of excessive fat he became in the same class as the fat lady in the circus and should have been exhibited in a side show alongside her and the 3,000 pound ox rather than in a breeding class. Lastly, what is proper size? The sheep that will eventually win out is one that has the ability to bring a lamb to popular market weight in the shortest possible time and at the most economical rate of gain. These two factors determine the profit to be hoped for.

Rapidity of gain is very desirable; cost of gain is absolutely essential. The ewe best qualified to serve as a mother of such a lamb must be roomy enough to carry one or two lambs and have feeding capacity to develop the embryo and to produce milk to carry them on later. Very little milk is secreted in the neck or legs. It requires deep, thick bodies to store the organs capable of performing these services. Incidentally she should also possess the ability to produce a reasonable amount of wool. The ram should be the same type and were I to chose between two rams, one that went over 100 pounds at four to five months of age and never weighed over 150 to 175 pounds, and a slower maturing but raw boned lamb that eventually reached 250 to 300 pounds, I would take the first one every time. A weight of 150 pounds in a ewe in good breeding condition should be ample to meet any requirement asked of her, always provided she is the proper type. Twenty-five to fifty pounds more in the ram is sufficient to perpetuate this size. A few breeds have higher standards of size than the above.

With them no quarrel is found. Their blood is necessary to raise a lot of commercial flocks to the necessary standard. It is very significant that these breeds have, within the past decade or two, very materially shortened their leg and neck and widened and thickened their carcass. These breeds look much smaller than they did twenty years ago, but some have actually gained weight. Size must always mean the number of pounds an animal can draw down on the scales, rather than the number of boards it can look over in a fence. Long necks and legs are merely "bones of contention" and eventually will be eliminated from every good breeding flock rather purebred or commercial.

Question: What kind of animal is a Corriedale?
Answer: Sheep